Leslie Odom, Jr. originated the role of a lifetime when he bowed on Broadway as Aaron Burr in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony- and Pulitzer Prize–winning musical Hamilton. A complex historical figure, the name Aaron Burr had become synonymous with “traitor” in U.S. lexicon. Yet Miranda’s writing and Odom’s performance have changed the legacy of the man for years to come.
In his new book, Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning, Odom chronicles his experiences in Hamilton, Rent, and more. The book hit shelves March 27, but those looking for a more theatrical way into Odom’s story are in luck: The audiobook, narrated by Odom, will be released April 10.
While his book covers much more than Hamilton, ahead of the release from Audible.com, Odom shared with us a clip about his start with the show.
It begins: “Hamilton seemed to have a healing and disarming emotional power from the outset. During more than a year and a half of readings and rehearsals, I witnessed the reactions of hardened, jaded professionals from various facets of the entertainment business as they reconnected with childlike wonder and sometimes tears as I had the first time I saw it. Love was my way into Lin's work and Aaron Burr.”
Click here to purchase the audiobook edition.
Listen to the Tony-winning actor narrate a chapter from his recent Failing Up: